Monday, November 4, 2013

Big News, Or What Happens When You Let God Write Your Story

God is always writing a story, and a good one too.

Sometimes we forget that. At least I do. I get caught up in the smallness of the day, nose to the ground, focused only on just right where I am. But every once in a while I look up and see that God is already up to something bigger and grander than I could ever imagine. It turns out he’s been up to this awhile now, stirring our hearts like a patient baker stirring her batter.

When we let God write our story we get to lose control, in a good way.

When we let him write our story we get to step in to something bigger than our own little world. That something bigger makes us realize that we can’t miss out on that story he is writing. It makes us stand up and declare that we want what the author of life is offering.

God is writing a new story for us.

After nearly 14 years in youth ministry, my husband has resigned from his job.

We are turning things over to the master story teller, with hope and expectation that he is going to write something bigger and grander than we could ever imagine.

Today, as the late fall sun streams long through my kitchen window and the dog dreams by the front door, I contemplate this what now moment. It would be easy to panic, grief stricken deep breaths of fear over what's next. But we have chosen to see this what now as an opportunity.

Our plans are unfolding, even as God slowly helps us to piece it all together. He has pulled us from our current place and by his grace we will launch out. We have a dream to plant a different kind of church right here in our own little community. It's a dream for a different style of church, a place that our children will partner with us, and a place that equips families to raise up Christ followers. The practical side of me wants to reassure you that we are not just going, without answers or ideas. Though what we have in front of us now is hazy, it’s hazy like the fog clearing. And as we step closer, the picture becomes much clearer.

We are in transition. And we are at peace. The transition process of labor is painful and gut wrenching, but at the end there is birth. Glorious birth. We are eager for the day of birth. I won’t bore you with the details we don’t yet have, what I can say is that God has spoken loud and clear, and in ways that I will treasure in my heart all my days. We are excited. And we await God’s good timing and his good ways.

We can ask that what now question in two ways. One way is full of fear and trepidation, the desperate prayer of a hopeless person. The other way is to ask in faith, with a posture of excitement and eagerness. We ask what now with open hands, ready to receive.

We know that God orders our steps.

We know that he wants to use our unique skill sets and personalities to bring new people to him.

We know that Christ in us is the hope of glory. And he wants to come out, using us to draw others in.

We know that when God calls, he qualifies. We are lacking no good thing to walk out the what now next.

This year has been full of grace and joy as we’ve walked closer to this new place. And even though it might feel like we are the edge of a cliff at times, I know it’s really more like a roller coaster. The twists and turns are good and God’s way of refining what he’s doing in our family and in our marriage. Zac and I have dreamed out loud together throughout this year. We’re closer than we ever have been. We laugh longer, pray harder, dig deeper, and dream bigger than we’ve ever done.

And it’s good.

What now? is not just a panic-stricken question tossed out into a dark unknown. What now? can also be our joy. It is a declaration of possibility, of promise, of chance. It acknowledges that our future is open, that we may well do more than anyone expected of us, that at every point in our development we are still striving to grow.”

-Anne Patchett, What Now?

Yes, you may think us crazy. But our story is only beginning, and we have the best author that we could ever hope for. As for us now? We don't have all the details, but we'll be sure to keep you posted as we go along.

4 comments:

I have just 'stumbled' across your blog. It is no accident, I know. Your story touches my heart. I grew up in a ministry family, married a young pastor and raised a son who grew to be a youth pastor. A few years ago God spoke clearly to his heart - and his wife - that it was time to step away from that ministry for another. They went, not knowing exactly what God had planned. It was wonderful - a ministry beyond what they could imagine. He is involved in a ministry that takes him traveling and ministering to churches and pastors around the country. God will bless you much as you follow His lead. I'll be back to read more - and to see how God is leading you and your dear hubby.~Adrienne~

I found your site via miss ala mode. I have read through several of your posts, and I really enjoy them. Isn't it amazing the paths the Lord takes us on? Yours sounds like an awesome adventure! God is leading my family on a new journey, and it is a bit scary, and He is asking me to trust big time!